Speaking helps me meet my goal…to touch just “one” person!

In the past two weeks I have spoken to seven different audiences.When I speak to an audience, my goal is to inspire and touch just one person so they might “hear” my words that emote from my most authentic self.I met my goal.I received this email from a female student after yesterday’s presentation at the Aspen High School:

“I heard you speak at Aspen High School. Before I came to see your presentation, I was always afraid of getting hurt. I was fearful that if anything happened to me my life would be over. Many people I know have been injured and never recovered. But after seeing you speak, I learned that life is not over.I have what I have and if I’m too fearful to do anything with it there is no point.I wanted to let you know that all those people who send you emails about how wrong you are…..they are the ones who are wrong.You are a motivation for people with or without disabilities.You taught us how to live.”—Aspen High School Student

On April 11th I was invited by Dr. Graham Creasey to give a lecture at Stanford University in California.Whoa, was I nervous to speak in front of a bunch of researchers and academics!Dr. Creasey is the Chief Spinal Cord Injury doctor at the Veteran’s Hospital at Stanford. He made me feel very comfortable and simply asked me to report the observational changes in my body.He compiled a brief PowerPoint presentation displaying data from my motor sensory test results.I was introduced by Professor G. K. Steinberg from the Dept. of Neurosurgery, Stanford School of Medicine.It was a tremendous honor to share my “stem cell” experience with the audience and I believe I was able to peak their interest.I met my goal by touching that “one” person who sent me the following email after my presentation…

“Hi Amanda:I was truly inspired by your lecture at Stanford last Friday.If you remember, I was injured at C4 almost 2 years ago while body surfing.My injury is incomplete and I did experience some return of movement and sensation, especially during the first year.But over the past six months, my progress has slowed significantly.

Your lecture was very timely for me.It has been a very difficult time for my wife, Connie, and me as we come to grips with the reality of my current situation.And yes, I was beginning to lose hope.But your lecture has given me a renewed sense of optimism.I have rededicated myself to my therapy regime.I have started to “network” with the leading-edge stem cell people at Stanford and other places.

I so much admire what you are doing.I know from personal experience that it is not easy to open yourself up for the world to see.Keep up the good work!And know that I consider April 11, 2008 (the day I heard you speak) the beginning of my new awakening.

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My History, My Story

On February 27, 1992 at the age of 24 I sustained a complete spinal cord injury at T11/12 (that is, no feeling or sensation at thoracic vertebra 11 & 12). I am able to recall the accident vividly in my mind's eye to this very day. I was downhill skiing. Everything happened in slow motion. A freak somersault and in a split second I shattered four vertebrae. It was as though somebody turned off a light switch. An electric current zapped through my legs and in an instant there was nothing.

15 1/2 Years with No Changes…

I have always been an active woman. For 15 1/2 years I sort out various alternative healing therapies yet I showed no improvement. Early on I tried standing tall in leg braces, but my efforts proved fruitless, plus I had a couple of horrible falls. Sitting simply became more functional. In August 2000 I was the recipient of the Vocare Bladder Implant, which helped me void my bladder using electrical stimulation. For 15 1/2 years I kept my legs supple and alive with various alternative healing therapies, yet I showed no improvement. I was paralyzed with no sensation or movement from the top of my pubic bone down. While I arrived at a place of acceptance with my paralysis, I have always had an uncanny insight that one magical day my legs would support me. Secretly, I never gave up hope.

HOPE Restored!

While my spinal cord injury took away my ability to walk, it didn't take away my ability to dream. TODAY I am turning my dream into my reality one baby step at a time.
On June 25, 2007 I was the first US Citizen to undergo Human Embryonic Stem Cell (hESC) Therapy with Dr. Geeta Shroff in Delhi, India.
During my initial two month visit, I not only witnessed astounding improvements in my own body, but with many patients who have life restored within their bodies and a newfound reason to not give up but LIVE!

New Sensations, New Muscle Power–I Am Defying the Odds!

I am compelled to share my experiences with the world. Since my first stem cell treatment in 2007, and after 15 1/2 years of being in a wheelchair I now have increased sensation with light touch and with deep sensation tingling all the way to my toes; my bladder and bowels are beginning to function again; and I have increased muscle power in my legs including gluteal muscles, quadriceps, hamstrings, adductors and abductors, and a flicker in my calf muscles too. Hope is now a part of my vocabulary!